Sitting Grand Prix 4 preview: sports-mad Hill ready for European adventure

A footballer, athlete and rugby player of some distinction in her younger days, she now plays sitting volleyball for GB and has, in the past year, also taken up ice hockey. 

Working both on and offsite for a busy garden centre, as well as travelling both internationally and nationally to compete, there is a constant juggle to fit everything in - and very little room for down time. 

But that’s how the player who captains the all-female Panthers team in the Volleyball England Grand Prix Series likes it. 

Jodie has always loved sport because she loves to push herself. 

“My biggest motivation has always been the same in any sport I have played... and that’s just to try and get better in whatever I am doing,” said Jodie, who is based just outside Winchester. 

“I am very competitive, but largely competitive against myself. I get so much enjoyment from playing and there is a great camaraderie you share with team-mates. 

“You get to know so many people you play with and against, people that become good friends, and it’s also great to see some new faces coming into the sport and helping those people develop. 

“I must admit that after playing so long I had fallen a little bit out of love with Sitting Volleyball a little bit prior to me being invited to taking up ice hockey. 

“But that has made me realise just how much I do get out of the sport and, though I have enjoyed the new experiences, my number one is always going to be the volleyball.” 

This weekend, the Panthers will compete in Tier 2 against Lincoln Imps, Help 4 Heroes B and South Hants B. 

But that is not the only competition the squad is preparing for, with matches in the Euro League – the first time they will have competed in such an event – to follow. 

Jodie, who took up the sport after having her leg amputated in 2010, is looking forward to the challenge of playing teams from France (ASUL Lyon Volley) and Hungary (Mozdulj Mozgaskorlatozottak Sportgyesulete) in the group stages. 

She added: “This year we have the chance to play in the Euro League for the first time. It’s great that there are enough strong teams now to warrant a women’s competition, and it is a huge thing for us. 

“We are the only all women’s team in the domestic Grand Prix matches – the others are mixed or all men – so it will be good to take on other women’s teams. 

“It’s good to see that the sport is growing across Europe and hopefully we can see that happen here as well... we don’t want the sport to stagnate. 

“Hopefully we can see more women’s teams in the Grand Prix in the future because the fantastic thing about the sport is that is so inclusive – anyone can play.” 

Jodie will be keen to draw on her experiences in October of captaining GB for the European Championships. 

It proved to be a tough tournament for a British squad that was hit by injury and illness in the build-up to it starting, but the players nevertheless resiliently gave their all. 

“I’ve been to many Euros tournaments, but this time I was called in as captain, which was quite stressful and worrying at times because we only had six players,” said Jodie. 

“With the numbers down to the bare minimum, there was nervousness about getting injured, but we pulled through. 

“It’s always a proud moment to pull on that shirt with the Lions on there and it was good to test ourselves against some of the best. 

“I have spent a lot of time away from home and it can make you feel guilty about missing family occasions, but you also don’t want to let your team-mates down. 

“With work, I have very understanding bosses who are very supportive in me competing, which is really helpful given that I can’t teleport, which would be really handy!” 

For the moment, though, the focus remains on this weekend’s action at the National Volleyball Centre in Kettering, with the fourth Grand Prix 4 of 2023-24 season being streamed live on the Volleyball England YouTube channel. 

Jodie said: “I haven’t played in as many of the Grand Prix events as I would have liked so far this season, but I’m looking forward to this one. 

“This year we have fielded some younger, developing players with some of us older players to fill in the gaps, so it has been difficult at times. 

“I would like to think that we can finish the season strongly and we are aiming to finish in the top two in Tier 2. 

“What I would really like to see is for us to take change of games when that chance arises and if we do that, then that would be success for us.” 

Click here to view the Sitting Volleyball Grand Prix Series home page. 

Follow all the Volleyball across our social media on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.